Kenyan tea farmers are set access to premium global markets after President William Ruto secured an export and promotional agreement following French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Nairobi.
The deal, signed during the Africa Forward Summit, is aimed at repositioning Kenya’s specialty tea sector particularly purple tea within high-value international consumer markets and strengthening long-term export earnings for smallholder farmers.
“For a long time, our farmers have been growing a unique crop without clear access to buyers who fully understand its value. This agreement changes that. It tells the farmer that what they grow belongs in the highest-value market.” said Gatanga Industries chairman Karanja Kinyanjui.
The agreement brings together international buyers, Kenyan producers, and financial institutions in a structured partnership designed to move Kenya beyond bulk tea exports into branded, specialty tea categories.
It is expected to directly improve farmers’ incomes by linking production to guaranteed offtake arrangements and global retail promotion channels.
Landmark Trade Linking Kenya to European Markets
The agreement is a collaboration between Palais des Thés, Gatanga Industries Limited, and Equity Group Holdings Plc, which will facilitate the procurement and export of Kenyan specialty teas into European premium markets.
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Under the deal, Palais des Thés will purchase Kenyan specialty teas including Purple White, Purple Golden, Purple Simba, and Purple Black varieties.
Beyond procurement, the French tea house will promote Kenyan tea through its global retail and educational platforms.
The partnership is expected to strengthen Kenya – France trade relations in the specialty tea sector while elevating Kenyan tea into premium consumer segments where origin, authenticity, and sustainability are key market drivers.
Equity-led Facilitation and Farmer Integration into Value Chains
The agreement was facilitated by Equity Group Holdings Plc under its Africa Recovery and Resilience Plan (ARRP), which focuses on strengthening trade linkages, supporting value addition, and integrating African producers into global supply chains.
Speaking during the signing, Equity Group CEO James Mwangi emphasized the shift toward farmer inclusion in global value chains.
“This agreement is about transforming the livelihoods of our small-scale tea farmers. By linking them to premium global buyers, we are not only expanding market access but also ensuring that value addition begins at the source, where farmers are fully integrated into global trade opportunities,” said Dr. Mwangi.
He added that the initiative is designed to ensure farmers are not just producers but active participants in structured international markets that reward quality and consistency.
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Elevating Kenya’s purple tea in global specialty markets
A major highlight of the agreement is the international positioning of Kenya’s purple tea, an indigenous cultivar developed by the Kenya Tea Research Institute.
Known for its high antioxidant content and distinctive flavour profile, purple tea has increasingly attracted interest as a premium export product.
François-Xavier Delmas, Founder and CEO of Palais des Thés emphasized the importance of showcasing Kenyan tea globally.
“Kenyan purple tea is not only an exceptional product in terms of quality, but also a compelling expression of origin, climate, and craftsmanship. Our role goes beyond procurement; it is about elevating its story on the global stage and positioning it within a category of teas that consumers for value authenticity and distinction,” said Delmas.
The agreement is expected to provide more stable demand and improve pricing structures for farmers by linking them directly to premium international buyers.
